State Sen. Bill Monning of Carmel is proposing a one-cent per ounce tax on sugary beverages like soda, energy drinks and a host of others with added sweeteners.

If approved, the will bill would generate $2.6 billion to fight childhood obesity.

There have been field polls done that show most Californians do see a link between sugary drinks and obesity.

Other recent polls also show a majority of Californians would support a tax.

It appears the senator will focus his argument on childhood obesity rates, pointing out among other statistics that 31 of California’s 58 counties experienced an increase in childhood overweight from 2005 to 2010.